320 JOURNEY. 



selves on each side of the chancel, where, 

 kneeling down, the curate commenced the 

 evening service to the Virgin, which had 

 a most pleasing effect, as he had a fine 

 voice, and the responses were powerful and 

 full. When the mass was concluded, the 

 boys went out of the church, in the same 

 manner as they entered ; the people follow- 

 ing, and the Virgin Mary, gaily adorned, 

 and robed, borne by eight men ; then came 

 the Host, carried in front of the curate, and 

 the whole procession was brought up by 

 the musicians of the place. In this manner 

 they paraded the principal streets, chaunt- 

 ing the Rosario ; and then depositing the 

 Virgin Mary in the church, extinguished 

 the candles, and separated. This ceremony 

 takes place nightly, about a week before 

 Christmas ; the expenses of candles, mass, 

 musicians, &c. being defrayed by the princi- 

 pal inhabitants, who each have their night, 

 and invite their friends. 



